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    Vista Search vs. Google Desktop

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by digicamhelp, Aug 30, 2007.

  1. digicamhelp

    digicamhelp Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    Which is better, the built-in Vista search or Google Desktop?

    I don't really need both on, do I, as they both use system resources, right?

    Thanks.
     
    digicamhelp, Aug 30, 2007
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  2. Valkyrie

    Valkyrie Notebook Consultant

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    I'm using Vista's built in desktop search right now. I've never tried Google Desktop in Vista, but I use it on my XP system. I could not find the setting that would allow Google to index only when the computer is idle. It's either indexing, or pause indexing. Although I'm not sure if the power management is automatically adjusted without us telling it to do so.

    In addition, I've read that if you have Google desktop in Vista, it will work concurrently with the Vista search. So you'll be using more resources.

    Vista desktop search can work with the built-in Vista power management. For example, you can set how much resources you want to use for indexing depending on your power profile
     
    Valkyrie, Aug 30, 2007
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  3. vaio2k7

    vaio2k7 Notebook Evangelist

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    I tried out Google Desktop on my Windows XP desktop for a while but decided I didnt really need it. I use Vista's built-in search from time to time and its pretty useful. So I dont see any need for Google Desktop on Vista.
     
    vaio2k7, Aug 30, 2007
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  4. cobrastyle

    cobrastyle Newbie

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    I don't use desktop search that much but when I do I use the Vista one. Google doesn't work as well for me.
     
    cobrastyle, Aug 30, 2007
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  5. tritium4ever

    tritium4ever Notebook Consultant

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    Vista's built-in search is handy, for those who kept indexing enabled. I also use Copernic Desktop Search 2, which is probably the best among the free desktop search programs (better than Google's version for sure). I like how CDS2 gives little thumbnails for pictures that are returned, which you don't get if you're searching through the search box in the Start menu. I also like how you can set up CDS2 to disable indexing of new files while on battery power...AFAIK Windows only defaults to a "power saving" mode for search, without any specifics on exactly what it's doing in that mode.
     
    tritium4ever, Aug 31, 2007
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  6. darksaber

    darksaber Notebook Consultant

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    I believe this was the subject of a recent lawsuit. If I recall correctly, Google sued MS for unfair competition because they made it difficult to integrate third-party search engines into Vista.

    Vista's SP1 is supposed to include an update so that Google Desktop will run just as fast, if not faster than, Vista's built-in search.
     
    darksaber, Sep 1, 2007
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